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Published for friends and supporters of UT Recreational Sports Vol. 7, No. 1 Fall 2007

Celebration10th AGregory Gymnasium

Celebrating 10 years of the “new”

gregory gym

UT RecSportsDedicated to Building

Community and Memories

InsideRecSpoRtSInsideRecSpoRtS

Letter

Visit our Web site and let us know “where you are” or drop by Gregory Gym the next time you’re in Austin.CoVer PHoTo by Amy Simon

From the Director

Dear Friends:the date was November 12, 1997. the event was the reopening of Gregory Gymnasium after a

two-year closing for renovation. If you were here on that day, you may remember the excitement of the thousands of students, faculty, staff and friends who came through the new front door to see the transformation of a 1931-built facility into a place worthy of its position in the center of campus.

In the 10 years since Gregory has reopened, some 20 million people have passed through the doors for informal recreation, intramural games, fitness/wellness classes, outdoor recreation programming and socializing with others. Since Gregory’s reopening, graduation ceremonies, student dances, Ut volleyball games and hundreds of unique special events have returned to this historic facility.

today’s Gregory Gym is far more than just a place to work out. this celebrated Ut facility has reemerged as one of the University’s most recognized venues, a hub for student life, and a destination that serves as a home away from home for countless members of the campus community.

Not unlike the facility itself, the Division of Recreational Sports has further evolved with the reopening of Gregory Gym. RecSports is widely regarded as one of the most popular programs on

campus with thousands utilizing our services each day. We are fortunate to find ourselves linked to this venerable facility, and to play such an integral role in the lives of students and the many important special events that occur at our great institution. And each of you, as former participants, employees and friends of the program, has contributed in so many ways. For that, we are indeed most thankful.

to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the reopening of Gregory Gym, RecSports will host a dedication ceremony on Friday, November 9 and an open House on Saturday, November 10. We invite you to join us at either or both of these events. Details on these events are posted on our Web site, www.utrecports.org.

As always, we welcome your memories and look forward to hearing from you. thank you for contributing to the history of RecSports. We hope to see you this fall or to hear from you in the near future.

Warmest wishes,

thomas W. DisonAssociate Vice president and Director

Today’s Gregory Gym...

has reemerged as one of

the University’s most

recognized venues, a hub

for student life, and a

destination that serves as

a home away from home

for countless members of the

campus community.

nniversaryCeremony10th A

Friday, Nov. 9 at 2pmPlaque Unveiling

Everyone invited. Reception follows.

Gregory

nniversaryCeremony10th A

(1) Legal eagles Team In the fall of 2001, the Division of Recreational Sports established the Charles Alan Wright Trophy to honor the memory of “The Winningest Coach in Texas Football History.” Professor Wright earned this distinction by founding and directing the Legal Eagles intramural football team beginning in 1955. Comprised of UT law students, the Legal Eagles dominated the leagues for 45 years under Coach Wright’s direction, achieving an incredible record of 330 victories, 44 losses and 5 tied games. Today, under the guidance of John Drolla and other Eagle alumni, the Eagles continue the tradition started by Coach Wright. The complete tribute to Professor Wright can be seen at www.utrecsports.org under About Us.

(2) Texas Crew Founded in 1969, Texas Crew is comprised of varsity men and women and novice men and women who foster a proud tradition of excellence and success. For over three decades, some of the most talented and highly motivated University of Texas students have passed through the team, enjoying life-transforming experiences along the way. Texas Crew has met with considerable success, especially since the arrival of Head Coach Jeffrey Mork in 1998. The

club competes in some of the most prestigious races in the country, including the Head of the Charles in Boston

and the San Diego Crew Classic.

(3) Wilderness First Aid As part of the Outdoor Recreation program, this fast-paced and hands-on two-day course covers a wide range of wilderness medicine topics for people who travel and work in the outdoors. The course may be used to renew certifications for Wilderness First Responder and Wilderness EMT.

(4) Instructional Program Numerous learn to swim classes are offered to the University community. From adult beginner, basic or intermediate to parent-child aquatics, this program continues to expand since the Gregory Gym Aquatic Complex opened in 2005.

(5) Group Cycling – New in 2007 Students and faculty/staff experience an amazing cardio challenge at varying speeds and resistance levels, including hill climbs, flat sprints and more. The instructor guides the class on a 45-minute or 60-minute ride that each participant can tailor to fit his or her own personal fitness goals.

Spotlight

(1) (2)

(3) (4) (5)

Did you know?UT has over

400 football teams playing intramurals

each fall.

Looking Back

nniversaryCelebration10th A

en years ago on Nov. 12, 1997, the University of texas welcomed back a venerable old friend.

Following 22 months of closure for construction and remodeling, Gregory Gym reopened, revealing a modern, airy setting uniting the heritage and tradition of old Gregory with a functional state-of-the-art design.

the idea to renovate Gregory Gym arose soon after the Recreational Sports center was built in 1990. Students were enthusiastic about the new modern facility, which featured many activities and amenities that Gregory Gym lacked. In the spring of 1992, student leaders began asking RecSports about the possibility of a major renovation of Gregory Gym. At the same time, the campus Master plan was calling for the creation of additional centers for community. this university goal was consistent with the original vision for Gregory Gym as a place for students to meet, exercise and socialize.

thomas Dison, Associate Vice president and Director

of Recreational Sports, recognized the need to transform the flagship facility into one that future generations of student would use and enjoy. “We wanted to provide a higher quality and more functional indoor recreational facility that would meet the wide range of leisure activities enjoyed by students, as well as other members of the

campus community,” Mr. Dison said. consequently, student input became a part of the planning process, which resulted in the addition of such venues as an indoor track, the cardio theater, Sports café, the climbing Wall and outdoor center.

Since reopening in 1997, Gregory now houses the parents’ Association and is the home for Ut Women’s Volleyball.

the renovation of the natatorium and the addition of the outdoor aquatic complex in 2005 completed the Master plan’s vision of Gregory as a center for building community. continual improvements remain at the core of the Division’s commitment to provide enriched recreational and academic resources on campus.

Thomas Watt Gregory, the first ex-student appointed to the UT System Board of Regents, proposes the construction of a modern gym-auditorium.

19931963193019291907Groundbreaking takes place.

Gregory Gym opens. The annex to Gregory Gym is built.

Students vote in favor of funding a major renovation of Gregory Gym.

The “New” Gregory Gymnasium

L–R: Dr. Juan González, Omar Ochoa, Tom DisonThe Gregory Aquatic Complex opened Fall 2005

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If These Walls Could TalkGregory gym yesterday and today throughout its 77-year history, Gregory Gym has not only been a center of student activity but the site for so much more. this historic structure has seen gubernatorial balls and has hosted the annual intramural Fite Nite. It served as the home for the Ut basketball and swimming teams, as well as UIL state basketball championships. Stage performers have included Benny Goodman, Will Rogers, Van cliburn, Janis Joplin, Frank Sinatra and Bob Hope. Registration took place in Gregory before automated systems took over. texas Round Up, pep rallies —including a 1955 rally where the “Hook ’em Horns” sign was born—and student dances are part of Gregory Gym’s history. this historic facility was the site of the final trials for the Men’s U.S. World Games Gymnastics team in 1974. countless convocations are held in Gregory and the arena was the setting for the funerals of thomas Watt Gregory and Ut president H.Y. Benedict. Freshman orientations, parents’ Day events, summer sports camps, a polling site for student elections, and the fund-raising Dance Marathon occur in this venue. Gregory has also hosted many black-tie events such as the Blanton Ball and the capital campaign Milestone celebration commemorating the $1 billion milestone of the We’re texas campaign. If only Gregory’s walls could talk. What stories could be told!

Gregory Gym Timeline2005199919971996Gregory Gym closes to begin renovations.

The new Gregory Gym reopens in November.

Students vote in favor of completing the Gregory Gym renovation with a new aquatic complex.

The Gregory Gym Aquatic Complex opens in November.

The “New” Gregory Gymnasium

1982 Intramural basketball in the Gregory annex 1985 Intramural volleyball in the Gregory annex

Exercising on a Schwinn Airdyne bike circa 1985

2006 Intramural volleyball in the Gregory annex

2007 cycling in Gregory with TV and monitor

Old Gregory Gym weight room circa 1970s

2006 Intramural basketball in the Gregory annex

2007 weight room in renovated Gregory Gym

1960sJim Cole ’60, was a member of several champion-ship teams for oak Grove co-op from 1955–60. Now

retired and living in Houston, he spent over 40 years as an engineer and manager in the petrochemical industry. Jim serves as president of the oak Grove Association.

Jim Strickland ’67, fast pitch softball runner-up for peM club, was a long time colleague of

Sonny Rooker, former RecSports intramural director from 1960–72. Jim taught p.e. in Austin for 32 years and is retired in Brady, texas.

1970sDon Beaver ’72, class A softball champion with the Superstars, teaches math and coaches

golf at Anderson High School in Austin where he won State 4A golf in 1994, 1995, 1997 and 1998. He and wife Gayla parks ’76, have two daughters, Alyssa (22) and cara (20), who will attend Ut this fall.

Jim Malloy ’73, former Hill Hall football champ, had a 30-year career in federal law enforcement,

the last 10 as supervisory agent. Since retirement, he has raised cattle on his ranch in Jack county. Jim notes, “through intramurals I made lifetime friendships and memories and maintained my fitness while in college.”

Jeff Barnes ’73, former handball champion, has been practicing dentistry for over 30 years.

Hip replacement has curtailed his handball, but Jeff plays golf for recreation. Jeff and his wife of 22 years, cindy, live in Birmingham, Ala., with two children, Matthew

(17) and Andrew (14), both of whom are excellent golfers.

Joe Yee ’78, won softball championships with Moore-Hill in 1974 and the Superstars in

1976. Joe was voted All-Intramural outfielder four times and also played basketball and football. presently, he works for AIG VALIc in Houston as a compliance administrator for pension plans. Joe has two daughters—erin, a junior at texas State University and Kristin, a high school senior. Still a city league softball player, Joe’s teammates call him “the crafty vet.”

John Kennedy ’78, former senior manager for Delta Upsilon, has been in the crude oil marketing

business for over 27 years. He recently moved back home to Midland, texas, to open an office for Nexen Marketing U.S.A., Inc. He and wife Leslie Shine ’78, have three children. the youngest is a junior at Ut.

Anna (Koncewicz) Schultz ’77, former member of the champion our Gang women’s

football and softball teams and winner of the sportsmanship award in 1975, is a cpA in Rockwall, texas. She is also an amateur golfer who competes nationally, recently winning the Women’s Southern Golf Association Senior championship and finishing as runner-up in the USGA Senior Women’s Amateur championship this year.

Doug Lechtenberger ’78, former intramural basketball champion, has

been the girls’ head basketball coach at John Foster Dulles High School in Sugarland, texas, for 21 years. Doug has had four final four teams and coached the Nike All-

Fast Forward

Where Are YoU Now? Lost touch with former intramural teammates or fellow RecSports employees? Want to find out what happened to your old workout buddies? Here’s what some of you are doing now:

1940sJohn Dick House ’41, played baseball and golf for oak Grove and “beat footballer Jack

crain in the 220 low hurdles.” captain House served in the Navy for 26 years including World War II and the Korean War. He attended the last oak Grove reunion and is now retired and living in paris, texas.

George Hannon, intramural Wall of Fame member for golf doubles in 1946–47 and

1948–49, attended Ut in the fall of 1942 prior to entering the Army Air corp and serving in the pacific theater. coach Hannon’s career—from Austin junior golf to his time as the Ut coach winning two national championships—can be viewed at www.hannoncup.com. today, coach is on the staff at Spanish oaks Golf club.

1950sCarter Howard ’50, an outstanding intramural athlete in football, softball and track

for oak Grove, graduated plan II and spent time in the Army before returning to earn a law degree. He and wife Barbara Wright have three children, all of whom graduated from Ut.

earl “Ty” Cobb ’51, handball and horseshoe champion and outstanding

Athlete for the Fijis, practices law in San Antonio. Following four years in the service, he attended St. Mary’s Law School. While at Ut he was also a yell leader for two years.

Waneen (Wyrick) Spirduso ’57, ’58 (North carolina) ’66 (Ut), was an

intramural fencing and softball champion, as well as a member of the University of texas Sport club Association. Waneen serves as the Mauzy Regents professor in the Department of Kinesiology and Health education at Ut, specializing in the effects of health and fitness on cognitive function. Her hobbies include rowing, playing golf and playing with her two furry friends, callie and Rocket.

Fred Baccus ’58, former handball champion for Delta tau Delta in 1957, continued

playing handball after leaving Ut. He owned his own commercial flooring business for 20 years before moving to the country and becoming a cattle rancher near Jewett, texas.

Bob “Hondo” Green ’59, former basketball champion with Brunettte House in 1953 and an

all-star softball player in 1955 as a Delt, went to work in Houston with his accounting degree. He moved to phoenix with an aviation company where he took over the helicopter division for some 15 years. today, Bob is retired in Sun city, texas, with wife Jerri.

Go to www.utrecsports.org/whereareyou to let us know what you’re up to.

Wall of Fame reprints available at www.utrecsports.org

American Game in 2005. Doug is married to Brenda Schulte (A&M) and has one daughter, Mikaela (10).

1980sDean Lechtenberger ’81, ’89, basketball champ with the Simkins (1977–78) and the Unknowners

(1988–89), worked as a petroleum engineer in such places as turkey, china and egypt before having dreams about treading water in the North Sea and coming back to Ut law school. Upon graduation in 1989, Dean began practicing with a firm specializing in intellectual property law where he focuses mainly on oil field patent matters. three daughters make up the family.

Gary Arkin ’83, Wall of Fame member in volleyball and softball, visited Ut recently with

his wife, terry, and sons Ben and Daniel. “today,” says Gary, “I apply many of the lessons learned on the fields and courts in my professional and family lives.” Gary is vice-president of G.L. Homes of Florida located in coral Gables, Fla.

Tony Cuellar ’84, former athlete with Slippery Rock track and football teams, works in Austin as an accountant IV

with the Austin Independent School District. Four children—19, 16, 14, and 9—are all runners.

Chris osborn ’87, former water basketball champion in 1982 and 1983 with the Bares, enjoys

swimming, running 10Ks and competing in triathlons. For the past 15 years, he’s owned his own Web site promotion (Seo) and graphics firm. He and wife Leigh Ann (Rothbauer) ’88 reside in Mansfield, texas, with daughters Ashleigh and Austin. chris still competes in master’s swimming, runs 10Ks and enjoys collecting fossils and minerals.

1990sDenise Villa-Dorsey ’94, former intramural program assistant and intramural champion in

several sports, is now an assistant principal at Kelly Lane Middle School in pflugerville, texas. Denise’s husband—Jason Ryan Dorsey—is an internationally known speaker.

Steven Herbert ’92, former intramural champion in volleyball, tennis and softball in

the late 80s, is the owner of a home design and remodeling company. Steven is married to Karen Herbert ’92 and has one child.

Howard Brown ’95, champion in multiple sports, married Nicole Macnak ’95, who also won intramural championships in basketball, volleyball and softball. Howard is a practicing physical therapist and basketball referee while Nicole teaches math at San Antonio clark High School. two children —treshayla (7) and Bryshanna (4)—make up the Brown family living in Helotes, texas.

ricky Mesa ’96, intramural champ in softball and football, works in San Antonio as an emergency medical technician (eMt). Ricky is married to Jennifer Macnak ’95, a multiple champion in intramurals, who also teaches history at Bradley Middle School. Ricky and Jen have two children—Matthew (6) and Jaci (3). Ricky still plays with the firefighters’ softball team.

oak Grove would seem to be just another cooperative boarding house that existed at Ut in the 40s and 50s, but ask any ex-Grover and he will tell you that intramural sports made it a special place. carter Howard remembers, “there was one underlying principle we all lived by: every Grover was considered to be equally important to the house and as a consequence we ALL contributed at whatever level we chose whether it be an individual sport or a major team sport. We called it the Spirit of oak Grove and it made us closer.”

A look at the Wall of Fame photos from 1940 to 1960 reveals a remarkable number of champions from oak Grove. Men like Jack Boston—twice Best All Around Athlete between 1955 and 1960—Lynn Halamicek, Max Smith and

Kyle Read helped oak Grove win over 100 championships, as well as winning the All Year trophy a record 15 years in a row.

In 1995 a group of oak Grove alumni met in Austin for the first reunion of this outstanding

organization. Attendance was terrific and the group agreed

to meet every two years. More importantly, the Ut spirit was so strong that these ex-intramural athletes established

the oak Grove co-op Scholarship endowment,

which to date has helped 17 deserving students with their education.

oak Grove will hold its seventh reunion on oct. 26, 2007, during the weekend of the Nebraska game. Despite the fact that the co-op closed 35 years ago, these men never tire of enjoying the Ut spirit fostered by their time at oak Grove.

Oak GrOve 7th reuniOn

Contact: Jim Colecccole@flash.net

281-286-9438

1954–55 Oak Grove Champions Front row (L-r): F. K. Read, R. D. Tatum, R. E. Blackwell, T. E. Evans, H. C. Howard and G.D. Appelt. Back row (L-r): J. T. Tomsu, L. C. Halamicek, D. N. Henderson, F. E. Harrel and J. R. Knaggs.

Oak GrOve CO-Op

20 Years of Intramural Excellence

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Winner’s circle

Join the Winner’s Circle! Let us recognize your team with a story and a picture. Contact Bob Childress at bobc@mail.utexas.edu or call 512-475-7180.

The tower lights up for our winning sport club teams

Heroes are among Us

the Ut gymnastics teams compete at the state and national level in the National Association of Intercollegiate Gymnastics clubs. the clubs are open to any interested student from the novice to the experienced.

the Men’s Gymnastics team has won the national championship two years running—2006 and 2007. the club also achieved national championships in 2000, 2001 and 2002. the women’s club finished first in 2005.

MeN’S GYMNAStIcS 2007 NAtIoNAL cHAMpIoN

WoMeN’S VoLLeYBALL–A teAM2007 NAtIoNAL cHAMpIoN

WoMeN’S VoLLeYBALL–B teAM2007 NAtIoNAL cHAMpIoN

club volleyball at Ut is open to all interested students. two teams, consisting of 12 players each, compete statewide to qualify for the National Intramural-Recreational Sports Association National championships.

the University of texas’ Women’s club volleyball ‘A’ team has won the NIRSA Division I national championship three years —2005, 2006 and 2007, following championships in 2000 and 2003.

this past spring the Women’s ‘B’ team won the Division II NIRSA national championship.